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Furs' of the Month Day 3 in 3D: Battle of the Cattle Tag
15 years ago
To understand this further, click here, play the clip, then read the rest. I was afraid, and rather embarrassed, that this would end up on Youtube; nevertheless, thanks Vin fur posting the Youtube clip. With that mentioned, I want to explain myself--clear the air if you will--befur I assuage some negative comments, which have started already.
I know that I spent an amazing amount of money--$1,600 to be exact--on a piece of foam rubber that not only costs less than a dollar to make, but that any other fursuiter could get fur free (#999 and below). I understand that. Even more painful, I could have balanced a cup on my nose befur a Dorsai and got a free cattle tag (#999 and below). I get that too. However, I sought after the final 1,000 tag fur sentimental reasons.
(Crying tears) The whole Anthrocon experience has been pure luck fur me. I remember that I watched videos and read about Anthrocon out of nowhere during a snowstorm, and I said that this would be a fun way to socialize and get me to be more open and less shy, and I was going to register, get a fursuit, and suit up fur the fursuit parade. I remember the trouble I had getting my furst fursuit and waiting several weeks fur my costume even when promised it would be shipped sooner, only to receive on the very day of my furst fursuiting event. I remember the trouble I had looking fur a hotel, and, out of pure luck, getting a room at the Westin with a stranger as a roommate who is now my closest friend and my newest fursuit artist.
(Still crying) I friggin' lost my ferret mask the day I was to checkout. The ferret mask is the most expensive and an irreplacable costume piece, and I wanted to cry so loud but I didn't want to wake up my roommate. I was directed to the Crawford room held by the Dorsai and I was able to retrieve it. So I owe the Dorsai a huge self-imposed reward fur keeping my lost ferret mask secure from harm's way.
(Drying my tears) You can call me names; you can say that I am a loser fur every paying that much fur a cheap piece of foam, but to that I say "Shame on you!" Did I spend your money? Did I ask you to spend my money? Did I ask you to look fur my mask? Even if I did, would you have said "I'll help you" or "I'll find it fur you" or would you have said "I don't know" or "Go ask the guy in the red shirt"?
Also keep in mind that I wanted the cattle tag, whether it was 1 cent, $1, or $1,000, but I didn't want to spend that much fur it. The opening bid was at $100 but my competiting bidder, Growly the Tiger, who has been a fursuiter long befur I have, wanted it just as badly. To Growly, I say I'm sorry, and I have nothing against you. He seems to be a great and seasoned fursuiter, and I assume he legitimately wanted the cattle tag and didn't rig the auction, but that is the nature of auctioning: the highest bidder wins. Had either of us did a trick fur the Dorsai fur the free cattle tag, one of us would probably have had the tag fur much less. If I didn't show up fur the charity auction, which I wasn't supposed to since I wanted to leave early Sunday, then Growly or someone else would have the tag. I would never rub it in Growly's face about the tag. I wish I could call my lawyer and state in my will that in my post-humousness, the cattle tag go to Growly; I'm dead serious, Growly, email me and I'll see what I can do. In the meantime, the tag along with my other badge, are framed on a wall in my bedroom and they will never be worn or taken out of the room. As fur as I'm concerned, the ferret mask, cattle tags, and badges shall stay safely in my bedroom furever, but I am not giving up Anthrocon or fursuiting. In fact, I am in the early process of commissioning another fursuit befure the end of 2010.
In case you care, the auction proceeds benefit Fayette Friends of Animals in Uniontown, PA. Due in part to the cattle tag, the organization earned over $12,000 from Anthrocon fundraising. Prior to the auction, I paid $27 fur the raffle and $10 fur the Kage/2 benefit. I love animals, but due to my housing conditions, I cannot adopt one. The least I could do is volunteer or donate money to shelters. I have donated $100s to Maryland SPCA. Don't believe me, call them.
I didn't mean to make this a lengthy journal, but I want anyone who watched the Youtube video of the auction to know that I understand your logic and that I sympathize with what you just witnessed. However,that is the way the world works: You have to "Put Yourself Out There" even when you might fail or embarrass yourself. PYOT is the most grating phrase I have ever heard. Prior to Anthrocon, I felt uncomfurtable touching anyone I didn't know: that is until I went to Anthrocon. If I can get over my shyness over fursuiters, the public, and roommates I don't know, then I can stand up fur myself against those who think I am wasting my money. I don't see it as a waste of money. By the way, I am fine. I still have money in my pocket. I have a wonderful job and my life is such that I can do these auctions and walk away from them unscathed. I see it as (1) a symbol fur all the outstanding luck I had that has lead to this experience, (2) my reward to the Dorsai fur safeguarding my mask, and (3) my reward to myself fur believing in myself when other wouldn't do it fur me. If you want something badly, go fur it. If you don't want something that badly, then don't go fur it. But don't judge me because I am free to make that choice. Thank you.
scooter_squirrel
~scootersquirrel
I am very happy you got your mask back. As far as the ear tag, hey, you wanted it, you were having fun in the process, and the money went to a good cause. Who was the loser there, noone. Yes, I would have not paid that for the ear tag but hey, different things mean different things to different people. I thought Kitt3ns was pretty crazy paying what he did for his 666 tag, but hey, whatever makes you happy, right? I don't judge people like that and I just am glad you had a good time there.
